Five presidential aspirants have been shortlisted to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries holding in Abuja.
The aspirants were picked by the APC governors and party’s National Working Committee on Tuesday.
This was disclosed by the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong on Tuesday morning.
This is coming hours after APC national chairman Abdullahi Adamu announced Senate President Ahmad Lawan as consensus candidate.
Mr Lawan’s appointment was rejected by President Buhari, NWC members and APC governors.
Mr Lalong said the list of shortlisted “frontline candidates” has been presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said okayed the recommendation.
The remaining 17 aspirants earlier cleared to contest were advised to step down.
The shortlisted aspirants are former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu; a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr Lalong said, “The president told us any of these five are qualified to be president and have contributed to the party (APC). He said he is comfortable with any of them,” said Mr Lalong while speaking on Channels TV flagship programme, Sunrise.
“Our recommendation is to enable us to give direction for the party as we go into the primary. We cannot go with everybody, but in our view, these are the people we think should remain.”
He said the five recommended aspirants were also advised to hold consultations among themselves to enable them further reduce the number of contestants.
Mr Lalong said, “The screening committee submitted a report. All the contestants were graded even though none of them was disqualified.”
Mr Lalong, however, added that contestants not shortlisted were free to disagree with the recommendation and proceed to contest at the primary.
